Log splitter

Abstract

A log splitter which includes an elongated frame which defines a reservoir for hydraulic fluid. A log splitting wedge secured to one end of the frame and a hydraulic cylinder and ram/piston secured to the other end of the frame. The ram/piston being movable toward and away from the wedge. The reservoir includes an inlet and outlet and a discharge tube associated with the inlet having a length effective to discharge incoming fluid into the reservoir at a position remote from the inlet. The elongated tube may be associated with the reservoir outlet so as to draw fluid from the reservoir and thus maximize flow from the reservoir even if the reservoir, or log splitter is in a tipped position. A log splitter and arm for mounting the splitter to a vehicle having a hitch style receiver secured to the rear of the vehicle. The splitter has a substantially linear working action. The mounting system includes an elongated arm for securement to the receiver in a cantilever fashion. The splitter is adapted to be secured, by a pin or a set screw mechanism, to the arm and be supported above the ground. The splitter's linear working action is substantially normal to the vehicle's direction of movement and the support arm. This system permits the vehicle to travel at normal highway speeds and carry the splitter.

1 . A log splitter and support arm assembly for mounting on a vehicle constructed for use on a road and having a hitch-style receiver secured to the rear of the vehicle for cooperation with the arm in supporting the splitter, spacing the splitter from the road, wherein the splitter assembly includes: 
 an elongated support arm having one end (a) constructed to be received by the hitch-style receiver and (b) constructed to support the log splitter thereon and (c) constructed to space the log splitter from the road; and    said log splitter (a) being elongated, (b) having a substantially linear working action, and (c) being carried by the support arm substantially normal thereto and substantially normal to the direction of movement of the vehicle on the road.    
   
   
       2 . A log splitter and support arm assembly as in  claim 1  wherein the support arm extends rearwardly of the vehicle in a cantilevered manner.  
   
   
       3 . A log splitter and support arm assembly as in  claim 1  wherein the log splitter is mounted on the support arm and movable thereon toward and away from the vehicle.  
   
   
       4 . A log splitter and support arm assembly as in  claim 3  wherein the log splitter includes a slide member constructed to slidingly mate with the support arm for movement thereon and securement thereto.  
   
   
       5 . A log splitter and support arm assembly as in  claim 4  wherein the support arm is tubular and has a substantially rectangular cross-section and said mating slide member is tubular and has a substantially rectangular cross-section sized to fit around the support arm and slide thereon.  
   
   
       6 . A log splitter and support arm assembly as in  claim 5  wherein there is defined by the arm a plurality of positions on the support arm for securement of the mating slide member thereto.  
   
   
       7 . A log splitter and support arm assembly as in  claim 1  wherein the support arm includes a long segment and a short segment secured to one end of the long segment, which short segment is constructed to be received by hitch-style receiver.  
   
   
       8 . A log splitter and support arm assembly as in  claim 1  wherein the splitter assembly is elongated in the length of the splitter is less than or equal to the width of the vehicle.  
   
   
       9 . A log splitter and support arm assembly as in  claim 8  wherein the log splitter includes an elongated frame, a log splitting wedge mounted at one end of the frame and a hydraulic cylinder and piston rod assembly mounted at the other end of the frame, with the piston rod movable toward and away from the wedge and adapts to engage a log to be split and urge the log toward the wedge.  
   
   
       10 . A log splitter and support arm assembly as in  claim 9  wherein the splitter includes a pair of support wheels, mounted to the frame, adjacent the cylinder and piston rod assembly for rotation generally parallel to the frame and a handle mounted to the frame adjacent the wedge for lifting the frame so as to be supported on the wheels and for moving the splitter on the wheels.  
   
   
       11 . A mounting arrangement for a log splitter having a linear working action, to be mounted to a vehicle having a rear hitch-style receiver and constructed for road use whereby the hitch-style receiver supports the splitter and spaces the splitter from the road, said mounting arrangement including: 
 an elongated support arm (a) constructed to be received by and secured to a hitch-style receiver, (b) constructed to extend radially of the vehicle and be spaced from the road, (c) constructed to support the splitter assembly and an orientation where the linear working action is substantially normal, the support arm and (the) constructed to space the log splitter above the road.    
   
   
       12 . A mounting arrangement as in  claim 11  wherein the support arm includes an elongated segment and a short segment secured to one end of the arm and adapted to be received in the receiver.  
   
   
       13 . A mounting arrangement as in  claim 11  wherein said elongated support arm includes a plurality of locking apertures for securing the splitter to the arm.  
   
   
       14 . A mounting arrangement as in  claim 11  where there is further provided a slide bracket constructed to support said splitter assembly and to engage the support arm, to move the splitter toward and away from the vehicle and for locking securement to said support arm.  
   
   
       15 . A mounting arrangement as in  claim 12  wherein the short and long segments are secured to each other in a step-like fashion and said arm is constructed to be secured to the hitch in a first lower position and rotated so as to be secured to the hitch in an upper position whereby the clearance between the road and the long segment is adjustable.  
   
   
       16 . A log splitter which includes: 
 an elongated frame member;    a log splitting wedge mounted at one end of the frame;    a hydraulic cylinder and piston/ram assembly mounted to the frame at the other end thereof and constructed for the ram to move between the cylinder and wedge;    a hydraulic pump and hydraulic valve for communication of hydraulic fluid to and from the cylinder;    a motor for operating said pump;    a platform associated with the frame for supporting the pump, valve and motor;    a plurality of wheels rotatably secured to the platform for cooperation in supporting and moving said splitter;    said frame defining a reservoir for hydraulic fluid, said reservoir defining an inlet adapted to receive used fluid, adapted to store fluid entering the reservoir and defining an outlet for the withdrawal of stored fluid from the reservoir, and    an elongated inlet tube positioned within the reservoir and connected to the inlet and having a length effective to discharge fluid entering the inlet within the reservoir at a position remote from the outlet.    
   
   
       17 . A log splitter as in  claim 16  wherein the length of the tube is effective to maximize the mixing of incoming fluid with stored fluid in the reservoir and minimize direct flow of fluid between the inlet and outlet.  
   
   
       18 . A log splitter as in  claim 16  wherein the tube extends substantially within the reservoir.  
   
   
       19 . A log splitter as in  claim 17  wherein the length of the tube is about half the length of the reservoir.  
   
   
       20 . A reservoir for hydraulic fluid and for use in a log splitter comprising: 
 an elongated and hollow reservoir for hydraulic fluid,    an inlet to the reservoir is provided for receiving used hydraulic fluid and arranged to deliver the used fluid into the reservoir;    an outlet from the reservoir is provided from which fluid within the reservoir flows from the reservoir; and    an elongated tube positioned within the reservoir and having one end associated with one of the inlet or outlet and the other end spaced from the other of the inlet and outlet.    
   
   
       21 . A reservoir as in  claim 20  wherein said elongated and hollow reservoir has a box-like shape.  
   
   
       22 . A reservoir as in  claim 20  wherein said reservoir includes an end wall and said inlet is positioned in said end wall.  
   
   
       23 . A reservoir as in  claim 22  wherein said elongated tube is associated with said inlet.  
   
   
       24 . A reservoir as in  claim 20  wherein said reservoir includes an end wall and said outlet is positioned in said wall.  
   
   
       25 . A reservoir as in  claim 24  wherein said elongated tube is associated with said outlet.  
   
   
       26 . A reservoir as in  claim 25  wherein said inlet and said outlet are both in the said end wall and said inlet is positioned above said outlet.  
   
   
       27 . A system for mounting a log splitter and carrying said log splitter on a vehicle having a hitch-style receiver that is constructed to receive a support arm on which the splitter is slidably mounted, said system including; 
 an elongated support arm constructed to be secured to a vehicle receiver and constructed to slidably support and carry a log splitter,    a member associated with said splitter and adapted to slidably engage said arm and slidably move along the arm toward and away from the vehicle, and    a set screw type assembly associated with the slide member and constructed to engage the support arm so as to position the arm relative to the slide member.    
   
   
       28 . A system as in  claim 27  wherein: 
 said support arm is a bar-like member,    said slide member includes a hollow tubular member which fits about said support arm and said set screw type assembly includes an aperture in the slide member, a threaded weld nut-type member secured to the slide member about the aperture, and a thread threaded screw-like member which is constructed to threadably engage said weld nut type member and to abut the support member and lock the slide member in position relative to the support member when the screw like member is advanced into the weld nut.    
   
   
       29 . A system as in  claim 27  wherein said support arm is a hollow tubular member.